The Best Ha Noi's Southern Cycling Holiday

Mai Chau Valley is surrounded by spectacular karst mountains and lush rice paddies. It is also home to several ethnic minority groups, including the Thai and Muong communities.

After breakfast, we’ll set out from the hotel to explore this charming valley. Our morning ride takes us through Lac Village and local markets, where we’ll gain insight into traditional customs and visit a local family renowned for their handicrafts and home-based business.

We then cycle through beautiful rice paddies to Mai Ha Village, experiencing everyday rural life along the way. Continuing to the picturesque village of Mai Hich, we’ll enjoy a leisurely walk through the village, immersing ourselves in the peaceful countryside. Pass traditional wooden stilt houses, verdant rice fields, and friendly local residents.

The journey continues by bike to Hai Son Village. Along the way, we’ll cross the Ma River and ride through stunning rice terraces, with sections of the route winding alongside the river. Take in breathtaking views of the valley, traditional stilt houses, and the tranquil rural landscape.

After a delicious home-cooked lunch, we’ll transfer by shuttle along a scenic mountain road to Pu Luong. Upon arrival, check in to the hotel and enjoy free time to relax or take a refreshing swim in the afternoon.

Today’s cycling is easier and more relaxing, as we gradually descend from the mountains to the lowland plains. The day begins with a delightful breakfast before a short transfer along a quiet rural road leading to the Kho Muong village gate. From here, begin your scenic ride into vibrant local villages, where you’ll admire lush terraced fields, traditional stilt houses, rolling hills, and gently undulating forests. Descend into a serene green valley, then turn onto charming S-shaped paths that wind to Don Village.

Don Village is one of the most beautiful locations in the area, offering stunning views of valleys and mountain ranges. It is home to the Thai ethnic minority, with nearly 100 traditional stilt houses. Early morning is a wonderful time to explore the village, observe local lifestyles, and enjoy the surrounding natural beauty. Spend time experiencing the daily life of the villagers.

Continue cycling over gently rolling hills and down into another peaceful valley, where you’ll visit a local workshop and discover the traditional process of producing Can wine, a unique cultural specialty of the ethnic minorities. Along the way, enjoy frequent and enriching stops at welcoming local homes, where villagers craft traditional costumes and intricate handicrafts.

Pedal onward beside a tranquil river, through fertile farmland and emerald rice paddies, until you reach Lang Tom. Continue riding across a suspension bridge over the Cham River, where gorgeous rice terraces stretch along the winding riverbanks. Continue biking through ethnic minority villages along the Ma River. This is a great opportunity to admire and ride across a traditional bamboo floating bridge.

Continue the day meandering through beautiful countryside and rustic villages along the Ma River before cycling toward a local market, where your support vehicle awaits for a 2-hour transfer to Cuc Phuong National Park.

After breakfast, we’ll visit the Endangered Primate Rescue Center and the Turtle Conservation Center to learn more about Vietnam’s remarkable biodiversity, diverse wildlife, and rich flora and fauna. Our final day of cycling is relatively easy, featuring a 26 km descent from the center of the national park. The remainder of the ride follows flat terrain through fertile farmlands and alongside peaceful rivers, offering a wonderful opportunity to immerse ourselves in the scenery of one of Vietnam’s most pristine natural parks.

Our cycling adventure ends on the outskirts of Tam Coc, followed by a 30-minute transfer to Tam Coc for lunch.

In the afternoon, board a traditional sampan boat and glide through a breathtaking landscape of towering limestone karsts and dramatic cliffs. Drift past lush rice paddies and journey through three enchanting caves—Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba—each offering a unique and magical perspective of this natural wonder.

After the two-hour boat trip, we return to our support vehicles and transfer to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam from 968 to 1009. Finally, enjoy a scenic two-hour drive back to Hanoi. Tour ends.